Hello friends,
I wanted to develop this as a travelogue for my visit to Paris, London and Amsterdam. I jotted down notes in my Google Pixel, and took photographs. Hopefully both will merge here in the post to give the complete picture.
Please note, the photographs are taken using the mobile and so might not be SLR quality. However I believe this is probably the best phone today for natural lighting and colors, let’s see how it turns out.
My wife left to spend some time in India, and so I had around ten days of me-time. I thought it’s wise to use it to travel around Europe. It’s my daughter’s birthday on April 6th and so I wanted to be in London for that. Along with that, thought I might as well visit Paris and from there to London, from there to Amsterdam and then to Geneva.
Day-1
Started from home at 9.18am. previous night had Sushi so sleep was not that great. Raw fish always does that to me. Cloudy day with slight drizzle hints of blue in the sky. Cold winds. I am dressed up with inner, t-shirt, sweater and a jacket.. Also have my touk. Need to get some water which is something I forgot.
This train takes me to Geneva from where I will board the tgv to Paris.
Long cold wait at cornavin for the train to come. It was seven degrees but with wind chill. Finally the train arrived. A sleek steam lined steel monster which was the fastest train in the world before the Chinese took over.
I had some trouble finding my seat. Because I had booked a window seat however the window seat shows two numbers, mine which is 123 and also 124. Will wait for the ticket examiner to come, so I can check. An announcement came that the bar counter and bistro is open. Maybe I will take a look later. Need a hot tea . The bar attendant came pushing the trolley and I eagerly ordered the beverage. He gave me a hot black coffee instead. So that I dont waste it, I finally had the acrid liquid instead of the pleasing flavor I am used to.
The train slowly eased out of the station. It felt as it it was being pulled smoothly rather than mechanical brute strength that we are used to. I settled in and stated eyeing the scenery through the window. Since Geneva is literally on the French border, after five minutes we were in France. I had to pass border control at Cornavin before I boarded the train. But it was just an empty lane and nods from the security guys.
First stop bellegarde. I think its in France. After that the topography changed and now it’s mostly hilly. In Switzerland it was snow capped mountains and beautiful meadows but here it’s wild trees and tall slopes . We went through a couple of tunnels and I think they cut through these mountains.
The landscape has changed now. Flat grasslands and lot of farms. Mountains have receded to the far horizon and the ground lays vast in front of me. Dotted with small huts whose architectural style itself is different from Swiss buildings. The view is one of green grass and trees and small villages that flash by as the train trundles along. Now it’s picking up some speed. However it still feels like it’s gliding along the tracks instead of huffing and puffing.
The trees themselves have changed. It seems a bit more Mediterranean now than European. We are arriving at the second station.
I got a neighbour, a young chap who was happy to let me take the window seat though it belonged to him. He goes occasionally for a smoke and I guess the aisle suits him.
We stop at bourg en bresse where there is sizeable crowd waiting to board. It’s almost 1.5hrs since we started our journey and I guess we are at the midpoint of our trip. It’s windy outside here as well, I can see the hairs of women blowing wildly as they hunch into their jackets to escape the cold. The view is more industrial now with factories and warehouses and oddly shaped buildings, I wonder what must be being produced inside. Today’s a holiday here in view of Easter yesterday. The ticket collectors came and checked my ticket.
I also saw several windmills. In the whole journey towards sustainable environment, I don’t see much focus on this energy producer, which is green and clean. Maybe it has its own limitations.
I opened a whatsapp conversation with my wife who’s traveling to India, about how she could have joined me in the trip. She said she’s happy without wandering around. I guess wanderlust is something that bites some people and never lets go.
I can see evidence of rain, with water logging the fields some of which are ploughed ready for seeding. I also saw the first view of cows in the grass fields, something which we expect in Swiss but surprisingly I didn’t see today till now.
I was clicking away with my Google pixel 8 but the wild trees growing on the sides of the track spoilt a lot of good photos. The houses all seem very basic must be farming families whose lives might be very close to mother nature.
I could see streams dirty with mud and swollen with rain water flowing through otherwise gentle lands. All villages here are characterised by a church steeple and a village square with the houses located around it. Especially when people rely on agriculture, it’s easy to understand why they wish to pray to God for good rains and abundance of crops every year. While Switzerland still has remnants of the winter, France so far looks different, with a tropical feel though more green.
We are picking up speed again and this train had the ability to tilt when it’s navigating tight bends. I can feel the shift as it turns a corner and then the correction by straightening itself as it comes out.
Ok, now we are officially racing. I feel it’s at least 300 kmph at which we are traveling. I can also see some wine yards beginning to appear in the sides of the slopes… The sights are moving by in a blur, and I think it won’t be easy to photograph at this speed. When a train passes by on the opposite track, there’s a sudden jolt and I can see if whiz past for maybe three seconds. That’s how much the steel monster is powering up. They are showing the speed in the display screens, and it’s 286 km/hr. However, it eased off now, and I am sure earlier it must have been more than 300 km/hr.
Now the land has lost a bit of greenery and looks brownish. Like India. It’s truly transformative how land changes so quickly in front of our eyes.
I need a beer. But the problem with traveling alone is that there’s nobody to look after the luggage. My passport as well. So will hold on for some more time and then decide.
I took my jacket and knapsack and went to the bar counter. Got a black tea and a kitkat. By the time I finished and relaxed a bit, I could see the industrial area beginning, indicating the nearness of a big city. We were reaching Paris.
I got down at gare de lyon which was also the final destination. The crowd in the station was amazing, it felt like half of Europe was already there waiting to go somewhere. I took a cab to the hotel which was eight km away. I booked it very near champs elysees without worrying too much about the cost. Better to be in a good location with easy access to places than spend lot of time and money reaching there from further away.
After checking in, I went out. Had a couple of welcome drinks from the bar, more a case of me welcoming myself. After that walked towards the fashion street where all leading brands had their outlets. At the end of it was the arc de triumph, I am a bit rusty on my french history.
Had Korean food for dinner with korean beer to wash it down. Lot of good restaurants in the area, hope to try them out in the four days I am here. After dinner reached my room and crashed onto the bed. I hoped the alcohol would help me sleep but I woke up at 3am. Then it was a difficult state trying to sleep by tossing left and right. Somehow slept on and off till 7am.
Day2
Woke up after a night of too much alcohol, with disturbed asleep and anticipation of a meaningful day ahead. First day to visit the historical landmarks. My initial feeling about Paris was a very old city with few modern design elements, enormous facades, some of them discoloured through centuries of exposure to the wind and rains. The city was giving an aura of a veteran having seen it all from despair to happiness, from rebellion to freedom. Though now it has been taken over by a different crowd. The number of tourists were mindboggling and it was really really crowded.
I had an average breakfast from the hotel, violating my intermittent fasting. Around noon, I started walking towards Eiffel tower. I cut across the champs elysees and moved on to George Street. From there walked one km and reached a junction where on the side of the siene river I could see this engineering marvel. At first looks, it seemed rusty because of its colour. However as I moved closer, I could see it was an intricate mechanism of trusses and beams and cantilever holding this together. It was gigantic, with its legs easily 100m apart if not more. People could go inside lifts and climb to the top of the structure. However there was such a long queue I didn’t feel like waiting. The weather was very wobbly, sometimes favouring sunlight, sometimes balancing it with shade and hint of rain.
After seeing the Eiffel, I saw an empty table at the cafe Gustav and secured it. The air felt a bit dry, and my lips were parched. It might have been the alcohol from the previous day as well. You see, when you are on lent for 50 days and after that get exposed to too much choices, these things happen. I ordered a hot dog, lemon water and black tea. After a heavy and unhealthy lunch I decided to continue my walk. Found a pathway along the river and followed it for some time. There are several bridges crossing the river and on each side there are landmarks. Without knowing too much as to which place to visit, I decided to follow my heart. I could see lot of river cruises taking tourists along for a ride, in all ways possible. What an experience it must be to sail through muddy water and see big buildings on either sides without being close to them. I could see that security was tight and very prominent. Lot of police vans in front of an imposing and elegant palace with a golden dome. Is it the Notre dame?
It was very windy. I had my set of t-shirts and sweater and jacket as well as a touk to help me. However the strong winds blowing across the flat terrain threatened to tear off my phone from my hand as I type this. The entire air seems impregnated with the possibility of rain and stormy weather. However by the time it took me to checked the building, the weather has changed again to mildly sunny.
Since I didn’t know the area much and didn’t do much home work, I decided to follow the crowd. I hope they are not french returning to their homes after a day out. Well maybe it’s not so bad either, when I think twice.
My gps directed me along many narrow alleys. It also took me through hotel marignou where security was unprecedented. I believe there’s some meeting or conference happening there at a senior government level. All the alleys and streets leading there were closed off my police in riot gear. I went past several shady alleys. I thought it might be my imagination but then I saw several doctors offices esp gynaecology so my intuition could be right after all. Best to set up shop near your customers.
Finally I reached a bridge which took me across the siene river.
One curious thing I noticed was a pulley in front of a small tower which was part of a house. I couldn’t help but think what it might have been used for.
Finally I see a sign to louvre. On the right path. Yay.
Louvre when I reached there was an anti climax. I assumed it would look very modern and futuristic but it was a very old c shaped complex. It had a sprawling courtyard and immense gardens which ended at the Concorde. It was a tall structure with heiroglyphics. I am k reasonably sure Egyptians didn’t reach France so I guess there’s some other story.
I walked for four hours or more and my legs are paining a lot. Stopped at a Paul’s to have a tea and a pain au Chocolat. Will need to push myself up and return to the hotel soon. Around six will go out and have dinner and maybe some wine. And wind up the day.
Day-3
Woke up around 7.15 or so and finished my quota of four news papers to keep myself up to speed. Had a lean breakfast from the hotel. It was average for 20 euros, and I was mostly into scrambled eggs. I never saw chicken wings for breakfast anywhere but in France.
After indicating that my room needs to be cleaned, I started for today’s exploration.
My objective was the cathedral of Notre Dame watch was around 3km from the hotel. I like walking so took my umbrella, layered myself and off I went.
The walk took me past the sights I had seen yesterday, but further beyond. I walked alongside the river and finally realised that the cathedral is in a small island connected to the main land on both sides by bridges.
Paris itself is divided into arrondissements which are like districts. Some are posh, some are poor, some are not safe. Lot of cases of pick pocketing and mobile phones being stolen, so I need to be careful.
I finally reached the cathedral. It was consumed by fire in 2019, and is supposed to be restored this year. So it was closed. I took some snaps and walked into a folksy place which had street markets and stuff. Had a tea from a nice cafe, cafes Richard underneath an umbrella since it was drizzling a bit. The place seemed to be called the hotel de ville, I could see a big hotel.
The tea I get in Paris is awesome and so nicely flavored.
After spending some time there, I started my one hour walk back to the hotel. I stopped on the way at a couple of places to take photographs, replenish my thirst etc. Near to the hotel I saw an Irish Pub and out of sheer nostalgia had mini-burgers, onion rings and two beers.
I reached the hotel back and checked with the concierge for a cab for tomorrows trip to the airport, and also a complimentary shaving set if possible. Someone brought two kits, I will try it out tomorrow.
The whole town is full of museums and art wxhibitions. Its truly a city for the art fanatics and fashion fanatics. All the women seemed well dressed even in the cold, with colorful winter costumes. I am sorry to say, but the Swiss ladies were very routine in their winter dressing with predictable styles almost every time. Here one could see an over flow of bright colors and overall a very stylish couture
I clicked some more photos while walking.
I have uploaded these to my instagram account as well (ba.ab573). Now its time to think about dinner and after that bedtime.
Had some Korean food and white wine for dinner. Watched some TV and slept off. I always think wine helps in sleep but I find that it never works for me. I wake up in the middle of the night with cold sweats and after a while go back to sleep.
Day4
Today I don’t have much time before my flight to London which is at 4pm. So I need to be at the airport by around 1.30, since I have heard it’s a very busy airport. The prediction is for heavy rains today so not sure if I can go out for a big bus experience in the morning. Was thinking about that or a river cruise.
In the cab now, going to the airport. One thing I realised I missed was the moulin rouge which is a world famous cabaret from some English movie. I also felt that though Paris is known as the city of love,I didn’t see much display of affection now many couples around. Everywhere I see singles even when middle aged.